Wake Forest AD: Jeff Bzdelik to return as basketball coach

Wake Forest athletics director Ron Wellman said Tuesday that embattled coach Jeff Bzdelik will return for a fourth season, according to the Winston-Salem Journal and WFMY.

"He's put our program in a position to go forward in a very positive manner,'' Wellman said in a story posted on the Journal's website. "He has laid the foundation that we think is important for future success. We knew it was going to be a process. I have asked him to make every decision for the long-term benefit of the program. He has done that."

Wake recently concluded a 13-18 season, and Bzdelik is 34-60 in three seasons since replacing the fired Dino Gaudio, who went 61-31 in his three years.

In the last six seasons, including three at Colorado, Bzdelik's teams have compiled a 2-47 record in league road games, with the only ACC road win coming at Boston College in 2012. The Demon Deacons were 0-9 on the road but 6-3 at home in league games this season, when they upset top-five finishers Miami, Virginia and N.C. State at Joel Coliseum.

C.J. Harris was the lone senior of note, and Travis McKie has one season of eligibility remaining. The 2012-13 team had a nine-man rotation that included six freshmen, including standouts Devin Thomas and Codi Miller-McIntyre. Sophomore forward Daniel Green missed the season with a knee injury, and Bzdelik has signed two players (Miles Overton, Greg McClinton) from the prep class of 2013.

Point guard Shelton Mitchell, who is ranked No. 21 in the Class of 2014 by ESPN.com, committed to Wake in January.

Staff writer Bret Strelow can be reached at strelowb@fayobserver.com or 486-3513.

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